[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6190159,"mediaKeyId","5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3","parentId",5052769,"title","Town approves 'Spirica' kinetic sculpture for Ames and Matthews Street as part of outdoor sculpture gallery","audioSeconds",209,"startMs",13511000,"endMs",13720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3&start=13511&end=13720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3/thumbnail_13511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190159/Matthews/Union-County/North-Carolina/Town-approves-Spirica-kinetic-sculpture-for-Ames-and-Matthews-Street-as-part-of-outdoor-sculpture-gallery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190159-947933c335a322ddd717e4e28dd060ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158200&Signature=MLYBiRj0OzVISXZnn0CJCf8cpMTV9SUJJrP74Cw2bdvdjTlsgj1b9GXkxFelwCDZgsBvLhA1e3nyFMJKCtrd6Q695RO3lVHYnUMyZtCtJxCfx01b6TjnShJVvp5~gNH2o3r0vy2RECU~3wl~-FEJzZRgylxw~w~UqFjcKBgkcRgZpV6bzXSZfnx8dednJz83fthlJOBxQdqX5itssitqdgkyocdjeJV8wphaU~uzKkTLZKeK~JXBb0~P4tXsfxC0shAw-jnys5ShB6QE4h1qrwCUZP83kD1DFWl8jzCESqm8BSspEImDkdRdBDU3A8REL5uwFvxJOzWrWBxoo1-oJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-24T02:52:12Z","article","The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources department recommended and the board approved adding a ninth piece to the town’s outdoor sculpture gallery: Spirica, a 16-foot kinetic stainless-steel sculpture by artist Lawrence Fair.

Cultural program manager Sarah Clemens told commissioners the piece is marine-grade stainless steel, stands 16 feet tall with a 10-by-10-foot top element, is kinetic (wind-activated), and will be mounted to a concrete base at the northeast corner of Ames and Matthews Street near the Carolina Beer Temple. “Staff recommends the approval of the sculpture, Spirica, by Lawrence Fair,” Clemens said.

The artist will loan the work for two years and receive a stipend of $1,250 on installation and a second stipend the following year, for a total town cost of $2,500. Clemens said the stipend and installation expenses are covered within the department’s public art operating budget.

The parks and recreation advisory committee recommended the selection after reviewing entries. Commissioners approved the installation unanimously and asked staff to coordinate installation logistics and public outreach surrounding the new piece.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and Recreation recommended and the board approved the loaned, kinetic stainless-steel sculpture 'Spirica' by Lawrence Fair for display at Ames and Matthews Street for two years; artist stipend covered by departmental public art budget.","taxTitle","Matthews, Union County, North Carolina","taxId",56171,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6190165,"Board approves FY 2025–26 budget and bond-related tax increase after heated discussion over affordable housing funds",360,10680000,11040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3&start=10680&end=11040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3/thumbnail_10680000.jpg","/articles/6190165/Matthews/Union-County/North-Carolina/Board-approves-FY-202526-budget-and-bond-related-tax-increase-after-heated-discussion-over-affordable-housing-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190165-aca7e574e761ef43e69f35dfcb43d9b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158200&Signature=QLnM~cPW3qqBF6ZWMuC3vUR9CC9g2JJrsXH9Nmt4ZaZtHHXc-dWRur2f7cnanwBgRpAIqUYJ-izRvYTQvCgUZQenFFv5EOezkzU7r9dXUTDKRkBkUHMOZYeZ2rCNhD43HaTeiKD74XrUUZON4IdvS8sC0cXbe0xnmr4d2v~1yF6g7eMh4MLWu~RKgwisECA0ktv6p2DOw76ioWpC1MDlha1CucFAgj2FaQ3Q7FxULnhJy3RiZiaCvCKpLJNkdvbS2OM-aOer0XjveBadjznI-IHULV5qwK4WaADsBftMGk3pNeAbtDwZ4e~w3aalcmQQigVpy4InI2lToC9P1ior7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matthews Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2025–26 general fund, tourism and stormwater budgets, the capital improvement plan and the fee schedule on June 23, after a lengthy and at times contentious discussion about whether to apply a restricted affordable-housing set-aside to reduce the bond-related property-tax increase.

Acting on a manager’s recommended budget that included the debt service associated with a voter-approved parks and infrastructure bond, the board authorized a tax rate change that staff said corresponds to roughly a 1.3¢ property tax impact (per $100 of assessed value). Interim Town Manager Kurt Walton provided a written observation recommending the budget’s adoption; finance director Theresa reported that sales tax receipts remained strong and that overall town fiscal metrics were healthy.

A central point of contention was $968,280 the town holds from a previous $1.5 million allocation earmarked for affordable housing. Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover proposed using $1,000,000 from the remaining funds to offset a portion of the tax increase for a single year so residents would have additional time to prepare. Supporters of keeping the set-aside intact argued the money was pledged publicly for affordable-housing initiatives, including a proposed land purchase (Stillwell property) and potential veteran housing, and that spending it now would jeopardize those planned uses.

Commissioner Ken McCool, among others, urged the board to hold the affordable-housing funds for their intended purpose and warned that the bond program’s costs and construction inflation could grow if the town delayed projects. Others, including Mayor Pro Tem Hoover and Commissioner who opposed the adopted budget, argued a one-year relief would help residents facing cumulative cost pressures (county property tax, stormwater adjustments, school bonds) and buy time while staff sought longer-term solutions.

After discussion and several amendments to fund a communications role and other line items as described in staff materials, the board voted 4–3 to adopt the budgets and CIP. The meeting minutes show the measure passed with four votes in favor and three opposed; the clerk recorded the item as approved. Commissioners joining the majority said the budgets balance town service needs, safety staffing and the bond program without excessive draws on reserves; those in dissent said they would have preferred alternatives to raising the property tax rate.

Staff will proceed with CIP initiatives, park design procurement and bond-related contracts and will return public audit and HUD-related documentation (for the Stillwell inquiry) to the board as requested.","After hours of debate about using a set-aside reserved for affordable housing to offset the bond-related tax increase, the Matthews Board of Commissioners adopted the FY 2025–26 general fund, tourism and stormwater budgets and CIP. The vote was 4–3; opponents urged alternative uses of the town’s $968,000 affordable-housing balance.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6190169,"Town holds public hearing on NCDOT petition to abandon a portion of Stallings Road; new detour to be built by developer",1269,5011000,6280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3&start=5011&end=6280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3/thumbnail_5011000.jpg","/articles/6190169/Matthews/Union-County/North-Carolina/Town-holds-public-hearing-on-NCDOT-petition-to-abandon-a-portion-of-Stallings-Road-new-detour-to-be-built-by-developer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190169-a4b2fdad07930a58e07d97d7d1accf99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158200&Signature=ldH7EPU1h3NlrNN-agHMWMnq8X-FgA4mwcu8oKDAMf8wMirMiapI6VRWtwWy88nQaFOwvmhhhZqPqYW2rOHtD8q9rPplWA~FBzvEymn9iK~wPq8zqTz3lq-coghgSsYuXYYCm-2INm3ZNWayR-3QnaAoAXkAIS4v6GRbDHvKcF1i~zmlt1CmewkNlRrti2FdmxiRsFqw9GFHMzDdQK~jnOlh1-8bihQR3q~3QXE3-q322TmEEUJWF9uAXrVNgTVIL~q8EQt7rsUrxi44XJECcB9UlCF2QUZCDe48aaHn1qp6v7bnyP0PCbtLTF2WhSVp4HQn1b4BXaUjW79olTYqCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The town held a public hearing June 23 on a North Carolina Department of Transportation petition to abandon maintenance of a portion of Stallings Road while recognizing a newly built alignment will be added to the state-maintained system.

Planning staff explained that NCDOT has received a petition to close an existing portion of Stallings Road to allow the state’s U-4913A project — a future realignment and roundabout at Idlewild Road — to proceed. The developer is grading and building a new public street segment to serve as a temporary detour while construction proceeds; NCDOT will inspect the new segment to ensure it meets state standards and will ultimately add the new alignment to the state-maintained system.

Jim Schumacher of Pappas Properties described the work the developer is doing: grading, installing utilities and constructing a new street segment that will later form part of the permanent alignment the state will build. “The permanent alignment of Stallings will be built by the state of North Carolina and the DOT,” Schumacher said, adding that the developer’s work allows simultaneous construction of private development and the DOT project.

Staff reminded the board that under North Carolina General Statutes the town must hold a public hearing and make two findings before abandoning town-maintained right-of-way tied to an NCDOT action: that the closure is not contrary to the public interest, and that no adjacent property owner will be deprived of reasonable means of ingress and egress. Planning staff reported that mailed notices were sent to adjacent owners and that no public opposition had been received at the time of the hearing.

Public comments at the hearing focused on design details, including left-turn lane provisions at Idlewild Road and how the temporary route will be signed; NCDOT and the petitioner confirmed left-turn capacity will be maintained and that the detour will be integrated into the state-maintained network once the DOT inspects and accepts the work. The board closed the hearing; staff said a follow-up item will return to the board after DOT accepts the detour and advances its abandonment action.

No final abandonment vote was taken June 23; the board asked staff to return when NCDOT declares the detour acceptable for public use and provides the formal abandonment action.","The board held a public hearing on a state petition to abandon maintenance of an existing portion of Stallings Road; town staff and a developer described a temporary detour alignment the developer is building that NCDOT will inspect and maintain once accepted.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6190173,"Town staff proposes two-way cycle track on Northeast Parkway during resurfacing; commissioners raise safety and usage questions",782,5638000,6420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3&start=5638&end=6420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3/thumbnail_5638000.jpg","/articles/6190173/Matthews/Union-County/North-Carolina/Town-staff-proposes-two-way-cycle-track-on-Northeast-Parkway-during-resurfacing-commissioners-raise-safety-and-usage-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190173-c92997e75424b0d67deaaab88fb7c503/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158200&Signature=FXkaA7pl9aeOhmLNoQbYcwqSFJtYG93Iei8vBvO6xHOTAXxkECCUnzPLFBad6M~xKNJJgM~Zo8lJahVkwNAAARBY8B4lqiQsO2AftjNiiRLBYmLkUeBxCod6mXI0CyqR~dnCbGaCHUB4nV~FktEAcIMkrYLbUGvX1z2UhPlJaDFGNiM0bhUSPm~T-f4gI8cShol5ulMRPAU4P7bM~8lPqN5sXmOdJlVxY0ZRxtbaP273pI01JuM3uB009rqwma7J3iHidwVE3RNqqx8NYHMHlrFRsHPBEkWCs23ra8a7T-CUMPtDf4eaym4UYkeQ1sM3YAFlHCewR2aWPmVoxJzz8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town engineering staff proposed adding a two-way, north-side cycle track on Northeast Parkway during a planned resurfacing, saying the change would create continuous bicycle connectivity north of I-74 and be far less costly than widening sidewalks.

“Since we're already repaving Northeast Parkway, we can very quickly implement this as opposed to… a $3,000,000 project,” town engineer Susan (presenting) said, noting the restripe would cost roughly $225,000 versus an estimated $3 million to build a full 10-foot side path. The plan would reduce the current five 12-foot travel lanes to four 11-foot lanes, add a two-way protected curb lane for bicycles on the north edge, retain the center two-way left-turn lane, and use vertical delineators and green pavement markings to separate cyclists from traffic.

Susan told the board that current traffic counts (2022) show about 6,900 vehicles per day on Northeast Parkway and that North Carolina Department of Transportation forecasting for 2045 projects up to about 16,800 vehicles per day — a level she said would still be compatible with a three-lane cross-section in each direction with turn lanes in many scenarios. She said the proposal would knit together existing nearby paths and greenways and would immediately link roughly three miles of bicycle facilities north of I-74 if implemented.

Several commissioners raised operational and safety concerns. Commissioner Mark Tufano said the road’s curving alignments and local turning patterns create “choke points” and questioned whether a single westbound travel lane would reliably handle peak flows; Susan replied that the plan preserves a left-turn lane and that current volumes are well below the threshold where a five-lane section is necessary. Commissioner Ken McCool and others asked whether restriping would reduce vehicle speeds; Susan said narrower lanes typically calm traffic and that the green two-way cycle track and vertical separators have been used elsewhere to increase cyclist comfort.

Commissioner John Urban and others asked about usage data; Susan said staff intends to perform before-and-after counts and cited past town projects where bicycle and pedestrian use increased after improvements. Several board members also asked whether the proposal would be part of the town’s resurfacing contract and when construction could happen; staff replied the resurfacing work is in the upcoming contract and that marking could be implemented as part of that work, pending the board’s direction.

No formal board vote occurred on June 23. Staff said this presentation will be used to refine design and to coordinate the striping with the resurfacing contract and with public outreach and monitoring.","Town engineer proposed restriping Northeast Parkway to add a two-way cycle track as part of a planned resurfacing; commissioners debated traffic impacts, future volumes and whether to build a 10-foot side path instead.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6190178,"Matthews Alive board outlines 2025 festival layout, parade route change and new nonprofit donation process",1560,0,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3&start=0&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052769-be6a7eefd50e1a3faf32715e40c2b0d3/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6190178/Matthews/Union-County/North-Carolina/Matthews-Alive-board-outlines-2025-festival-layout-parade-route-change-and-new-nonprofit-donation-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190178-807015342ee55d2470dca5dfbe07bb7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158200&Signature=gBjklAyF7XLgujK4fGKdrvRV5WaHSulY8cSSJ7Vr88-qTss7CR6t-dYSTEirDt7vC18meKNwyxUC1~7KmNNLnNjvPB1dzLoMGQRQfYKZYxxJ52bi385xmNbvyvwIROSgt1Z5AMzs6TSd2eIDlN8HAKSTesOfii2uZWdQ3g~QWuCtk~YIBdjmEvwJlGwMU0tSVkzgmEJZlqLyuSkKrnm8QttCOGBxUd4DBEPWztHHxJdXUg-RkA3G4krzOV2UkEM81f-oRdNauupscUb5f3WtuWNIeJF-0fUldkriBsiL7O~pA2NDSFijJNgNRXmYIMnL9krb3u8itpDdZ-diZ0nZww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matthews Alive spokesperson Brian Lee told the Matthews Board of Commissioners on June 23 that the volunteer-run festival’s 2025 footprint will look much like past years but will include a new parade route and a formal nonprofit donation process. “This remains unchanged from previous years,” Lee said of the basic layout, then described concert headliners, food vendors and exhibitor locations.

Lee and fellow board members said the group has confirmed returning presenting sponsor Novant Health and several commercial sponsors, and that the festival will host about 23 food vendors and roughly 152 small-shops vendors. “One of the things that I've really pushed for since I joined the board about four years ago is trying to uplift our Matthews area small businesses,” Lee said.

The board described several operational changes. Parade planners, citing recent national guidance, shifted the route to route participants off the footprint into streets that will allow safer disembarking and reentry. “This year … we will turn down John Street … to Christ Covenant Church,” Lee said, adding the change is intended to keep participants off live traffic and create “a more usable spectator area.” Amanda Howard, who said she is part of the Event Safety Alliance, said the decision follows the American National Standard for parade safety and will provide more “arteries” for emergency egress and for stalled vehicles.

Matthews Alive also outlined a new nonprofit donation application that will let organizations not directly providing volunteers at the festival apply for funds; the board said an online form will go live weeks before the festival and that donation recipients will be announced in the organization’s impact summary presented to the town board after the event. The group said they will continue to provide volunteer slots and listed a volunteer contact email: volunteermatthewsalive@gmail.com.

On governance and transparency, Lee said the group has filed required IRS returns and has an ongoing audit for calendar year 2024; he committed the organization to an annual independent audit and to provide results to the town once the audit is complete. The Matthews Alive board also agreed to continue scheduling an annual 5:30 p.m. pre-event meeting with the town board to present plans and answer questions.

Several commissioners pressed Matthews Alive on staffing and board continuity, noting the festival relies heavily on a small number of volunteers. Lee estimated core volunteers each contribute hundreds of hours to the event and said the board is actively recruiting but has rebalanced workloads to operate with fewer members. Commissioners also pressed for clarity on the nonprofit donation scoring process; Lee said the board built a scoring matrix modeled on other North Carolina municipal grant systems and will refine it after the first year.

The commissioners did not take a formal vote on festival funding at the June 23 meeting; they asked staff to follow up on several financial questions and requested the audit results when they are available.","Matthews Alive presented the 2025 festival plan to the Matthews Board of Commissioners, describing entertainment, vendors, a revised parade route for safety, a new nonprofit donation application and commitments on audits and board recruitment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town approves 'Spirica' kinetic sculpture for Ames and Matthews Street as part of outdoor sculpture gallery

Board approves FY 2025–26 budget and bond-related tax increase after heated discussion over affordable housing funds

Town holds public hearing on NCDOT petition to abandon a portion of Stallings Road; new detour to be built by developer

Town staff proposes two-way cycle track on Northeast Parkway during resurfacing; commissioners raise safety and usage questions

Matthews Alive board outlines 2025 festival layout, parade route change and new nonprofit donation process